Press Room

Charlotte Museum of History to Open Landmark American Revolution Exhibition April 14

Immersive, augmented reality experience makes East Coast debut in Charlotte ahead of America’s 250th

The Charlotte Museum of History will debut its most ambitious exhibition to date, “American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition,” opening to the public on Tuesday, April 14. This groundbreaking national exhibition uses video game technology to immerse visitors in the defining moments that shaped the nation and its ideals of freedom and liberty.

2026 CHARLOTTE GEM AWARD WINNERS

Annual awards ceremony on May 14 celebrates excellence in historic preservation and education history across the region

The Charlotte Museum of History will honor the winners of the annual Charlotte Gem Awards at the museum’s premier fundraising event on Thursday, May 14. The awards celebrate the preservation and restoration of historic buildings, as well as excellence in history education, across the greater Charlotte region.

POPULAR FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Ninth African American Heritage Festival explores Black military service and national legacy

Get free admission to the Charlotte Museum of History, a Smithsonian Affiliate, and celebrate Charlotte’s Black history and culture on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the museum’s ninth African American Heritage Festival.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORY MUSEUM’S BIGGEST-EVER EXHIBITION, CELEBRATING AMERICA’S 250TH

Video game technology creates interactive experiences with key moments of American Revolution

Tickets are on sale now for the Charlotte Museum of History’s most ambitious exhibition ever, “American Revolution, the Augmented Exhibition.” This national exhibition uses video game technology to immerse visitors in the defining moments that shaped the nation and its ideals of freedom and liberty.

CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY BECOMES SMITHSONIAN AFFILIATE

New status provides access to special exhibitions, educational resources and national collaboration opportunities

The Charlotte Museum of History is now a Smithsonian Affiliate, joining a distinguished network of more than 200 cultural, educational and research organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Panama. This new relationship marks a major milestone in the museum’s ongoing mission to preserve and share the stories that have shaped the Charlotte region.

1774 ALEXANDER ROCK HOUSE RECEIVES RARE STATE DESIGNATION

The designation offers additional protections for County’s oldest home

Statewide significance designation is extremely rare, with only 10 other properties in North Carolina holding this title. The Rock House is now the second existing property in Mecklenburg County to be recognized by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. The Johnston Building, which dates back to 1924, also has statewide designation.

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT CHARLOTTE’S OLDEST HOME

Historic holiday traditions and spirited festivities return to Charlotte Museum of History

“The holidays are one of the best times to visit the museum as we celebrate traditions old and new,” said Kendall McGeorge, public programs director for the Charlotte Museum of History. “These events highlight the community spirit that has helped shape Charlotte for nearly 250 years.”

CHARLOTTE’S ONLY MIDCENTURY MODERN HOME TOUR RETURNS FOR 14TH AND FINAL YEAR

Tour includes kickoff event featuring George Smart, founder and CEO of USModernist

“The Mad About Modern home tour has opened the door to a curated selection of midcentury and modern homes in Charlotte for more than 14 years now,” said Charlotte Museum of History President & CEO Terri White. “While this is the museum’s final year hosting Mad About Modern, we look forward to bringing the city other tours of historical architectural in the future.”

HISTORY MUSEUM HOSTS FIRST EAST SIDE SOL FESTIVAL, CELEBRATING EAST CHARLOTTE’S CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

The Charlotte Museum of History will host a new, free family-friendly festival on its historic campus on Saturday, Oct. 11, celebrating the vibrant…

The East Side Sol festival runs 11am-5pm on the museum's eight-acre campus at 3500 Shamrock Drive. From international bites to live dance performances, the event offers something for everyone looking to connect with the East Charlotte spirit.

LIBERTY STEEPED: A REVOLUTIONARY TEA

Raise a cup of tea to women’s revolutionary voices, starting with the 51 North Carolina women who led the 1774 Edenton Tea Party movement

“ ‘Liberty Steeped’ explores the powerful role women and tea played in the fight for American independence,” said Kendall McGeorge, public programs director for the Charlotte Museum of History. “You’ll learn about the brave act of resistance known as the Edenton Tea Party of 1774, one of the earliest organized political actions by American women. Tea was more than comfort for these patriot women..

A National Movement Comes Home: The Soul of Philanthropy Opens to the Public on July 15

This summer, Charlotte will welcome back a transformative national exhibition that began in the Queen City and is enlivening a movement, nationwide.

On Tuesday, July 15, NGAAP Philanthropic Collective (formed in 2006 as New Generation of African American Philanthropists), Johnson C. Smith University, and Charlotte Museum of History will unveil the "CLT Homecoming" exhibition of Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited-a groundbreaking multimedia exhibit that centers the Black experience with philanthropy.

HISTORY MUSEUM WELCOMES NEW U.S. CITIZENS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

Naturalization Ceremony and New Exhibit Connect Past and Present on the Fourth of July

The Charlotte Museum of History will honor America’s birthday with one of its most inspiring traditions—a Naturalization Ceremony for new U.S. citizens—on Friday, July 4, 2025. The annual event is free and open to the public.

CHARLOTTE MUSEUM OF HISTORY WILL BRING NEW AMERICAN REVOLUTION EXHIBIT TO THE CAROLINAS IN APRIL 2026

Museum seeks additional community support to complete exhibit funding

The Charlotte Museum of History is proud to announce a new exhibit, “American Revolution, the Augmented Exhibition,” opening in April 2026. This national exhibit provides an immersive experience of the defining moments that shaped America and its ideals of freedom and liberty. The Charlotte Museum of History will be the only place in the Carolinas where people can see the exhibit.

MUSEUM RECOGNIZES LOCAL HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND THE PEOPLE WHO PRESERVE THEM AT 2025 CHARLOTTE GEM AWARDS

Museum will honor historian and preservationist Dan Morrill with Charlotte Gem Award and The May 20th Society with new Keystone Award

The Charlotte Museum of History will host the 2025 Charlotte Gem Preservation Awards on May 8 at The Casey. Dan Morrill receives the Charlotte Gem Award and The May 20th Society gets the new Keystone Award. Seven preservation projects will also be recognized. Features include fire dancers, a drumline, and vintage fire trucks, with proceeds supporting historic preservation.

MUSEUM EXHIBIT SHARES HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA’S MOST LEGENDARY DOCUMENT, THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, ON ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY

Ever wondered why the date May 20, 1775, appears on North Carolina’s state flag, its state seal and even its license plates? Or why some North…

The Charlotte Museum of History will open "Meck Dec 250" on May 20, 2025, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The exhibit features Revolutionary-era artifacts, modern memorabilia, and an interactive diorama of 1775 Charlotte. Special tours of the 1774 Rock House will be offered May 24 from 11:30am-3:30pm. The exhibit runs through March 2026.

POPULAR FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Eighth African American Heritage Festival focuses on the Black experience in rural Mecklenburg County

The theme of this year’s festival is "Black Country" and emphasizes the African American experience in rural Mecklenburg County over time, including Black farming. The festival will include a Farmers Market featuring fresh produce, handmade crafts and unique local products.

THE QUEEN CITY CELEBRATES ALL THINGS “BRIDGERTON” WITH SERIES AUTHOR JULIA QUINN

“Bridgerton” enthusiasts will have two opportunities to meet Quinn on Feb. 15. They can attend a free author Q&A with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library midday at Queens University or join the author that evening at the Charlotte Museum of History for a party inspired by the glitz and glamour of Quinn’s Regency-era novels.

EXPLORE NORTH CAROLINA’S RICH HISTORY OF WHISKEY AND MOONSHINE DISTILLING AT HISTORY MUSEUM’S ANNUAL TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY

Kick off your new year with a Twelfth Night party at the Charlotte Museum of History on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 6-9 p.m., featuring festive music and…

You’ll experience history through all your senses—watch exclusive moonshine-making demonstrations, enjoy tastings of locally-crafted spirits, hear Dr. Megan Cherry explain 18th-century southern distilling practices and step back in time with historic cooking demonstrations in the museum’s restored log kitchen.

CHARLOTTE’S ONLY MIDCENTURY MODERN HOME TOUR RETURNS FOR 13TH YEAR

Charlotte’s Mad About Modern home tour returns for its 13th year on Saturday, Sept. 28, showcasing some of the best historic midcentury modern homes in the city. Tickets include access to four historic midcentury homes representing four unique styles of architecture and design, highlighting the breadth of the midcentury movement in Charlotte.

Charlotte Museum of History to Celebrate Re-Open Historic Kitchen with Award-Winning Author and Chef Michael Twitty

“Carolinas Home Cooking” event will feature cooking demonstrations, local barbeque, and a focus on African American culinary traditions

After significant restoration work, the Charlotte Museum of History announces the re-opening of the historic kitchen on the site of the 1774 Rock House. The Museum will host a day of cooking, learning, and exploring the historic homesite. The event will feature James Beard Award-winning author Michael Twitty, alongside local chefs from Johnson & Wales University, Bobbee O's Barbeque, and more.